Case Studies

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Client: Cook for Good, London

Funded By: Peabody, Wates Group

Focus: Tackling food insecurity through social enterprise innovation

Cook for Change is a pioneering new programme designed and delivered by Cook for Good, to bring together changemakers from across the food and social impact sectors. 

Its aim? To support a diverse cohort of community food innovators to share learning, build networks, and develop sustainable enterprise-based solutions to food insecurity.

Carolyn from Just Horizons was invited to facilitate the launch bootcamp — an intensive three-day experience combining expert-led masterclasses, peer learning, and personal insight from a range of successful social entrepreneurs.

While the programme content was developed by Cook for Good and its partners, Carolyn’s role was to hold the space, guide the structure, and ensure each session ran smoothly, inclusively, and with real connection. With warmth, energy and purpose, she helped participants feel seen, supported, and confident to engage — creating a safe and energising learning environment that allowed everyone to contribute meaningfully.

The result? Participants left the bootcamp not only inspired, but with new networks, renewed clarity, and a strong foundation to take their ideas forward. The programme now continues with 1:1 mentoring, a pitch event, and additional support for venture-building — including bursary funding and expert input.

“You were an absolute star — we’ve loved working with you! We’ve had fantastic feedback from both contributors and our cohort already... that you made people feel held, welcomed, included and energised. And — whilst we know it’s not — you made it look effortless. Your presence really helped create the kind of space we were hoping for: open, energising, and full of possibility.”

Emma Stewart MBE, Director of Development, Cook for Good

Client: Aston University, Centre for Growth
Programme Funded By: West Midlands Combined Authority / Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund / UK Government

Focus: Growing the Social Economy across the West Midlands

Just Horizons played a key role in the design, facilitation and delivery of the Grow and Accelerate programmes — a flagship initiative supporting 56 social entrepreneurs across the West Midlands to grow their organisations, boost trading income, and maximise social impact.

Carolyn led the programme design, project coordination, and facilitation — curating and supporting workshop delivery on strategic growth, innovation, marketing, finance, leadership & management and governance.

Her inclusive, high-energy facilitation style created a space where participants felt heard, empowered, and equipped to take action.

The result? A highly rated, high-impact programme that helped build confidence, strengthen peer networks, and drive sustainable growth in the region’s social economy sector.

“Carolyn brought energy, insight and a deep commitment to making this programme a success. Her ability to design, lead and inspire made a real difference — and I’d recommend her without hesitation.”

Kate Angel, Head of Business Support Operations, Aston Centre for Growth

Client: Urban Hax, Walsall
Programme Funded By: West Midlands Combined Authority

Focus: Developing an Action for Growth Plan to grow the social economy in Palfrey and Caldmore, Walsall

Just Horizons played a central role in designing, co-ordinating and facilitating the Action for Growth Plan — a pioneering initiative to strengthen the social economy in Walsall by using inclusive innovation and collaborative leadership to drive sustainable growth.

Working with over 120 social economy organisations and a range of public sector partners, we delivered strategic planning, stakeholder facilitation, and a series of Design Thinking workshops that explored key priorities including premises, procurement, training, marketing, and collaboration. 

These sessions shaped the development of a bold, community-led concept: a Social Improvement District (SID) — a vehicle for long-term partnership, shared resource use, and community-led regeneration.

The result? Through this work, we co-produced a robust Action for Growth Plan, mapped the local social economy, and catalysed new relationships across sectors. By putting equity, voice, and co-creation at the centre, the project laid the groundwork for lasting impact — including improved collaboration, stronger funding prospects, and a more inclusive, resilient local economy.

"Carolyn brought clarity, energy, and real strategic insight to the Action for Growth Plan project from day one. Her ability to hold the big picture while managing the detail was invaluable — from helping to shape our strategic plan, to supporting delivery and facilitating a wide-ranging group of stakeholders with empathy and authority. The Design Thinking workshops she led were a game-changer for our social economy network. She created safe and dynamic spaces where collaboration thrived, supporting partners to align around shared priorities with creativity and purpose. Carolyn doesn’t just deliver — she elevates the work and the people involved. An absolute asset to any project."

Geoff Henderson — Managing Director, Urban Hax